Smart Shopping forHome Furnishings Selecting

UpholsteredFurniture

Dr. Leona HawksHome Furnishings & Housing Specialist

1987 HI 11

Shopping for upholstered furniture? Shopping for upholstered furniture can beconfusing, since there are so many different styles, construction techniques, and qualitycharacteristics. To make knowledgeable decisions concerning upholstery, be able to answerthese questions.

WHAT’S ON THE MARKET? WHAT’S FOUND INSIDE? WHAT FIBERS ARE AVAILABLE? WHAT’S QUALITY FABRIC AND TAILORING? WHAT FINISHES ARE USED? WHAT’S A QUALITY RECLINER? WHAT’S A QUALITY SLEEPER SOFA? WHAT’S ON THE LABEL? WHAT’S ON THE WARRANTY?

WHAT’S ON THE MARKET?

There are many different types of upholstered chairs and sofas, and they vary widelyin quality. Most of the quality characteristics are similar for all upholstered items. There are,however, a few home furnishing items such as recliners and sleeper sofas that have additionalquality characteristics.

A high price tag does not necessarily indicate quality. High-quality and low-qualityupholstered furniture can be found in all price ranges.

WHAT’S FOUND INSIDE?

High-quality upholstery is difficult to evaluate because you cannot see inside thefurniture. There are, however, methods of determining quality. High-quality upholstery is bestevaluated by checking the inner frame, support foundation, padding, and cushioningmaterials.

Figure 11.1. Upholstered FurnitureCutaway

Inner Frame. Today, upholstered furniture framesare made of wood. Depending on the type, wood can bequite durable. A softwood frame, however, is of lessquality because of its lack of strength. In some of the betterquality furniture stores, you may see a cutaway ofthe furniture piece, which should show whether the frameis hardwood or softwood (see Figure 11.1, UpholsteredFurniture Cutaway). If the cutaway is not available, youneed to ask the sales clerk or read the manufacturer’scatalog to determine the type of wood used for the frame.If you cannot find out what the frame is made out of, thenuse several of the following tests, and be gentle.

While sitting in the chair or sofa, move side to side. lf there is any side movement inthe frame, the furniture piece may not be very sturdy.

While sitting in the furniture, gently push with your back on the back of thefurniture using your feet and arms for support. If the piece of furniture makes noises, do notpurchase.

Let go of your body weight and fall into the piece of furniture. Does it feel solid? Push on both arm rests to determine if they are sturdy. Turn the piece of furniture over and look underneath for corner frame reinforcement.

There may be a thin piece of fabric attached to the under side that you can see through. If youcannot see the corner reinforcement, then feel with one of your hands for the corner blocks.

Lift one side of the upholstered furniture. Does it make a noise? If so, it may bepoorly constructed.

Support Foundation. The support foundation consists of steel made into springs,coils, or other types of support systems found inside the upholstered item. The steel used forthe support foundation should be tempered to maintain resilience. To find this out, you haveto ask the sales person or read the manufacturer’s catalog.

You can check how well the support foundation will perform by setting on thefurniture and gently bouncing. The support system should push you back up each time youbounce. You should also place your hand under the cushioning and press down on thesprings. In a high-quality upholstered piece of furniture, you should not be able to feel themetal support system through the fabric. It should feel padded.

Also check the front edge of the upholstered item, which should give under pressure.Just push your hand down on the front edge of the seat to see if it compresses, then goes backto its original position.

Padding. For quality, the chair or sofa should have the right amount of padding. Tryfeeling the frame through the fabric with your hand. You should not feel hard frame edges,which would indicate lack of padding. Unpadded areas wear out quickly.

Cushioning Materials. Cushioning materials may include urethane sheets, urethanefiber-fills, polyester battings, springs, feathers, and down. You may find a cushion consistingof one or more of these materials.

Urethane (also called poly foam and polyuretbane) is the most widely usedcushioning sheet material, owing to its resilience, cost, durability, non-allergenic qualities,

Figure 11.2. Cushions

and mildew and fungus resistance. Urethane comes in many different qualities. High-qualityurethane contains a higher percentage of pure urethane, thus weighs more than low-qualityurethane. One way to determine quality is by the weight ofthe cushion. Of you compare two cushions of the same size,the one that seems heavier is the better quality. Lightweightcushions do not last as long and “hollow out” faster thanheavier cushions. Urethane is also shredded to make fiber-fills, which are small pieces of urethane. Fiber-fills are usedin the back cushions because they give a softer feel than theurethane sheets.

Polyester battings are used to wrap cushioningmaterials so they will not slide around inside the cushion.Cushions wrapped in polyester battings indicate qualityupholstered furniture (see Figure 11.2, Cushions).

Feathers and down are also used inside cushionsbecause of their comfort. Feathers and down, once used extensively as filling, are now tooexpensive for anything but luxury items. The more down and feathers, the firmer and usuallymore desirable and expensive the cushioning. One hundred percent down is almost too soft.For cushioning, 80% feathers and 20% down is a good combination.

A high-quality cushion has an additional cover of muslin, which encloses the foam andpolyester batting or the springs, foam, and feathers. This is easily checked. All you have to dois open the zipper of the cushion and check.

WHAT FIBERS ARE AVAILABLE?

The durability of the fabric is determined by the type of fiber used in the constructionof the fabric. Each fiber has unique properties such as color retention, luster, sturdiness,cleanability, and pleasing touch qualities. Ask the sales person if you can see the fabricsample of the upholstery fabric you want to purchase. This fabric sample should be labeledwith the fiber content. Fibers most often used in upholstery fabrics are acetate, cotton, flax,nylon, olefin, polyester, and rayon. Leather and vinyl are also listed because of theirpopularity, not because they are classified as fibers.

Acetate. The characteristics of acetate are: less fiber strength when compared withother fibers, low cost, resistant to moths and other household pests, a tendency to discolorfrom mildew and bacteria, and a tendency to weaken from prolonged exposure to sunlight.Cleaning considerations are: petroleum products used in drycleaning do not damage fibers;organic solvents such as acetone, phenol, alcohol, chloroform, nail polish remover, and someperfumes destroy fiber; and acids weaken fiber.

Cotton. The characteristics of cotton are: dyes easily; burns readily and quickly;exposure to sunlight causes the fiber to yellow; low resilience; and damaged by mildew andbacteria. Cleaning considerations are: resistant to alkalies in most detergents; strong acidsdestroy fiber; and resistant to most dry-cleaning solvents.

Flax (linen). The characteristics of flax are: strong fiber; wrinkles easily unlessfinished; weakened by sunlight; damaged by mildew when exposed to a humid environment;and dyes easily. Cleaning considerations are: resistant to alkaline solutions found in mostdetergents; and excellent resistance to dry-cleaning solvents.

Leather. The characteristics of leather are: heat sensitive; darker colors may bleed;and absorbs body oils readily. Cleaning considerations are: dry-cleaning solvents removenatural oils, disturb finish, and produce lighter-colored areas; should be cleaned with goodcommerical leather cleaner; becomes sticky when furniture polish, oil, and varnish areapplied; and damaged by detergents or other stain-removal agents.

Nylon. The characteristics of nylon are: good resistance to abrasion; excellent strengthand wearability; good recovery from creasing or wrinkling; low moisture absorption;accumulates static electric charges; damaged by sunlight; and water repellent. Cleaningconsiderations are: alkalies have little effect; acids such as formic, hydrochloric, nitric, andsulfuric cause immediate disintegration; and dry-cleaning solvents have little effect on thefiber.

Olefin. The characteristics of olefin are: resists soiling; retains oil and grease; lowmoisture absorption; heat sensitive; strong; light weight; hard to dye; degraded by sunlight;color-fast; abrasion resistant; long wearability; resists mildew and rot; and holds no attractionto moths or other insects. Cleaning considerations are: may be bleached; should not be dry-cleaned or machine washed; shrinks when exposed to warm temperatures; and highly resistantto alkalies and acids.

Polyester. The characteristics of polyester are: resilient; retains oil and grease; tends topill; low moisture absorption; resists abrasion; damaged by exposure to sun light; unaffectedby mildew and insects; generally resistant to wrinkling; and prolonged exposure to sunlightweakens the fiber. Cleaning considerations are: good resistance to weak alkalies and acidsexcept for hydrochloric and sulfuric acids; not damaged by oxidizing agents or bleach; notdamaged by chemicals used in cleaning and stain removal except for hot meta-cresol andphenol with trichlorophenol and tetrachlorethane; and not damaged by soaps and syntheticdetergents.

Rayon. The characteristics of rayon are: dyes easily; tends to shrink; high moistureabsorption; low cost; deterioration occurs when exposed to sunlight; and fiber weak whenwet. Cleaning considerations are: resistant to household detergents and chemicals; resistant todry-cleaning solvents and stain removing agents; damaged by chlorine and peroxide bleaches;and degraded by concentrated acids.

Vinyl. The characteristics of vinyl are: sensitive to abrasion such as heavy rubbing;oils from the body can cause it to crack and harden; melts when exposed to heat; and stretchesunless another fabric is attached to the back. Cleaning considerations are: dry-cleaningsolvents dissolve surface, cause stiffening and hardening; and unaffected by mild householddetergents.

WHAT’S QUALITY FABRIC AND TAILORING?

The following general concepts concerning fabrics and tailoring should help you selecthigh-quality upholstered furniture that fits your needs.

Polished and glazed cottons, when new, give a nice texture, but after some use, thefinish wears off leaving dull-looking fabric.

A fabric with a print hides light soiling. Tightly woven fabrics wear better than loosly woven fabrics. Pile fabrics, like plush or velvets that have deep and close pile, will wear well.

Figure 11.3. Decking FabricUnder Cushions

Pile fabrics, with uncut loops, mat less than those with cut loops. Latex applied to the back of the fabric stabilizes the fabric preventing ravelling and

seam slippage. Knit fabrics tend to stretch out and snag. For better wear, fabric nap should run down the back

cushion to the seat, not up. Fabric should have no wrinkles or puckers at the

seams, unless they are part of the design. Cushions should fit tightly and evenly into the corners. Stripes, plaids, and patterns should be matched, which

includes the cushions matching with the rest of the upholstery.

The size of pattern should be appropriate for the sizeof furniture.

The grain of the fabric should run parallel orhorizontal to the furniture piece.

Protective covers should be available for armrests. Decking fabric should not be visible when someone sits on a cushion (see Figure

11.3, Decking Fabric Under Cushions). Designs should be centered on the upholstery piece. Welted cording should be smooth with no waves. Seams should be securely stitched with appropriate colored thread. Seams should be smooth and neatly tailored. There should be no loose threads. Cushions should be reversible. Decorative stitching such as quilting or tufting should be secure, smooth, and of

equal depth. Buttons should be visually balanced on the furniture, drawn through the upholstered

piece with heavy cord, and secure, not just tacked onto the fabric. Some furniture stores have samples of' furnishings that are on the sales floor. Ask

the sales clerk if you can examine the fabric sample of the upholstery item you want topurchase. Here are a few tests you can use to determine the durability of the fabric.

Rub the back of the fabric sample against itself to see if there is any flaking. Flakingmeans that the backing is not firmly bonded to the fabric.

Check the abrasion resistance of the sample by rubbing the fabric sample surfacewith your fingernail. If the fabric is damaged easily, it will not last long.

Rub the fabric face against itself. If the surface print rubs off, do not buy the fabric. Test for pilling by rubbing the fabric with your fingers; if bits of fabric appear to ball

together, it may pill. Check the shading on a napped fabric by brushing the fabric with your hand in

several different directions. Shading can make the fabric look worn. Check resilience by crushing the fabric sample in your hand. If the fabric bounces

back into its original shape without a lot of wrinkles, it will look new longer. Check the amount of sizing in the sample by rubbing the sample against itself to see

of any dry powder sifts out. Once the sizing rubs off, the fabric looks old. Check for colorfastness by rubbing a fabric swatch with a moist white handkerchief.

If color comes off onto the handkerchief, it will certainly come off when cleaned. Check to see if the fabric’s raw edges fray or ravel easily. If so, the yarn may shift

and pull away at the seams.Stretch the fabric diagonally. Does it stretch and then completely recover? If it does, it

Figure 11.4. Recliners

Figure 11.5. Sleeper Sofa

will hold its shape. If it remains stretched out, cushions willwrinkle and not fit neatly.

WHAT IF FINISHES ARE USED?

Two types of finishes help protect fabrics. Silicone(such as Sylmer) finishes repel water-based substances.Fluorochemical (such as Scotchguard, Zepel) finishesprotect against both water-based and oil-based spills. Bothtypes of finishes repel spills long enough to be wiped up, butthey do not replace cleaning. These finishes are applied tothe fabric surface and will wear off after extended use andcleaning. These finishes are applied to the fabric surface andwill wear off after extended use and cleaning. In-storeapplications of these finishes should never be applied overfactory application because chemicals may interact anddestroy your fabric.

WHAT’S A QUALITY RECLINER?

There are two different types of recliners: the regular recliner and the lounger (seeFigure 11.4, Recliners). With the regular recliner, the angleof the top of the legs to the back stays at 90 degrees, evenwhen the chair is fully reclined. The lounger starts at a 90degree angle, but as the chair reclines the body changes to aflatter position. There are also recliners and loungers thatcan fully recline with the back of the chair 2 inches from thewall. As the chair reclines, it moves forward. There are alsorocking recliners and loungers, which rock back and forth.

WHAT’S A QUALITY SLEEPER SOFA?

The most common types of sleeper sofas are theconvertible and studio sofas. The convertible sofa mattresspulls out or folds out from the seat. The studio sofa's backdrops down level with the seat, creating a sleeping surface(see Figure 11.5, Sleeper Sofa).

Quality characteristics to look for in convertiblesofas are a solid frame, thick steel in the frame, bed frame

securely attached to sofa frame, and durable decking fabric. The wood provides the frame forthe sofa and the steel provides the frame for the bed. The wood should be hardwood and thesteel should be thick enough to support the movement in and out and the weight of peoplesleeping on the bed.

The way the mechanical parts of the bed are attached to the wood determines how wellthe convertible unit stays together. The greater the number of helical coils attached to theframe, the better the support of the springs. The better quality convertibles have each line offlat springs attached to one helical coil. In the poorer quality sofa sleeper, several flat springsare attached to one helical coil. In some inexpensive sofas, the flat springs are replaced with

fabric and two lines of wire attached to the frame diagonally. The center bar, which supportsthe mattress, is called the stabilizer bar. This bar can be attached to the frame with helicalcoils or welded. The best method is to attach the bar to the frame with helical coils so that itgives under pressure. The less expensive method is to weld the bar to the frame, in which caseit has no give. Someone sleeping in this type of system may feel the rigid bar through themattress.

Another coil found in the convertible sofa is the rotation coil. This coil is found at thebottom inside of the sofa frame, which keeps the mattress in line with the bed frame The bestquality sleeper sofas have three rotation coils; poorer quality sleeper sofas have only one.

For quality, you should check the decking fabric located just below the cushions. Thedecking fabric should be made of tough and durable material to protect the cushions frombeing torn by the flat springs.

Other characteristics to consider are: does the mechanism work easily, smoothly, andquietly? Is the sofa well balanced in each position when the mattress is pulled out? Do all themoving parts clear the fabric? Are there any sharp edges on the metal parts? When the bed ispulled out, does it lock into position? Are the leg supports constructed so they will notdamage your floor? When you lie on the mattress, does it support you comfortably? Refer tothe fact sheet on mattresses for more information on mattresses.

WHAT’S ON THE LABEL?

All labeling of upholstery is voluntary except the label attached to the cushionindicating materials used inside the upholstery item. This label, found just under the cushion,is headed with the words “do not remove under penalty of law.” Listed on this label are thepadding materials used inside, which are usually cotton batting, polyurethane or urethane, andpolyester batting. The cotton batting is used to cover the upholstery frame, the polyurethaneand urethane foam are used for the cushioning, and the polyester batting is used to wrap theurethane cushion. This label also includes the kinds of materials used for the back cushion,which are urethane, polyurethane, or fiber-fill. This mandatory labeling provides you withlittle information, because varying qualities of materials may use the same term. Additionallabeling, which is voluntary, may provide consumer information concerning fabric testing,flammability, care, and fabric grade

Fabric Testing Labeling. This type of labeling was initiated by National Associationof Furniture Manufacturers. Members that conform to the association’s construction andwarranty guidelines are licensed to display a “Seal of Integrity” insignia: two bronzeinterlocking circles bearing the license number of the manufacturer. The fabrics displayingthis insignia are run through 15 tests for quality including colorfastness, pilling, yarn slippage,surface abrasion, wear, color transfer, and tear strength. Fabrics are then categorizedaccording to durability: heavy duty, medium duty, light duty, and delicate. Participatingmanufacturers include the durability ratings on fabric swatches and product tags, which are:

hhh (green color code) means heavy duty and is suitable for normal use by an activefamily with children.

mmm (blue color code) means medium duty and is suitable for use by adults in ahousehold where the furniture is not in constant use.

lll (yellow color code) means light duty and is suitable for use in an adult householdwhere furniture is selected for its aesthetic value rather than for its performancecharacteristics.

ddd (red color code) means delicate and is suitable for use in an adult household

where furniture is decorative and seldom used.

Care Labeling. The furniture industry has adopted a voluntary standard care-labclcoding, which indicates the proper cleaning method for a particular fabric. This code may beprinted on a label under seat cushions, on hand tags, or on fabric samples.

W means that the upholstery should be cleaned only with water-based cleaningagents or foam.

S means that the upholstery should be cleaned only with water-free dry-cleaningsolvents.

W-S means that the upholstery should be cleaned with either of the above methods. X means that the upholstery should only be vacuumed or brushed lightly to remove

soil.

Flammability Labeling. Look for the UFAC (Upholstered Furniture Action Council)hang tag, which means that the furniture, and fabric are constructed to be more resistant tosmoldering cigarettes and safer than untagged furniture. In addition, various upholsterycomponents must withstand the cigarette ignition test to be included in UFAC testedupholstered furniture. These upholstery components are welt cords, padding materials,decking material, and cushioning materials.

Fabric Grade Labeling. Many manufacturers offer a selection of different fabrics fortheir upholstered pieces. The fabrics are graded for pricing, not quality. The grades begin with“A” or “1,” which is least expensive, and continue up to “H” or “7,” which is the mostexpensive. A higher price does not necessarily mean the fabric wears better. Pricing has to dowith weave, design, and the type of yarn.

WHAT’S ON THE WARRANTY?

If a warranty is offered, make sure you save the sales slip as well as information on thewarranty. You should also record the date of store purchase. Keep all this information in caseyou need it later. If the manufacturer does not offer a warranty, find out if the store will assureresponsibility for defects, poor workmanship, or damage during delivery. Always getwarranties in writing; oral warranties are worthless.

Also check to see if there is a warranty on the fabric or fibers. Some warranties applyonly to furniture construction and not to the fabric, while others may carry a limited warrantyon the fabric. Manufacturers of high-quality fibers have warranties on fabrics made from theirfibers. These warranties state that the manufacturer will replace or refund upholstery fabric ifthe fabric fails to provide normal wear for the period of the warranty, such as 1 or 2 years.Specifically excluded from the warranty are burns, stains, cuts, oiling, and pet damage.

QUALITY CHECKLIST

After each question, answer with a yes* or no.

1. Is the frame made of hard wood?2. Is the chair or sofa frame sturdy?3. Is the support foundation sturdy?4. Is the support foundation well padded?5. Does the front edge of the chair or sofa give under pressure?6. Is there enough padding that you cannot feel the wood frame underneath?

7. Did you compare several cushions the same size to see which was the heaviest?8. Are the cushions wrapped with polyester batting?9. Do the cushions have an additional inside cover of muslin?10. Do you know which fiber or fibers are included in the upholstery fabric you want to

buy?11. Did you select a fabric that fits your needs?12. Did you check the tailoring for quality?13. Did you obtain a fabric sample and conduct a few tests to determine durability?14. Is there a stain-resistant or soil-resistant finish applied to the fabric?15. Did you read all labeling?16. Is there a warranty?Recliners17. If you are buying a recliner, does the chair move easily from the sit-up position to the

fully reclined position?18. If you are buying it recliner, are the moving parts made, of thick steel?19. If you are buying a recliner, is the metal frame bolted, not screwed, to the wood chair

frame?Sleeper Sofa20. If you are buying a sleeper sofa. are each of the flat spring lines attached to a helical

coil?21. If you are buying a sleeper sofa, is the stabilizer bar attached to the frame with helical

coils, not welded?22. If you are buying a sleeper sofa, is there more than one rotation bar on each side of the

sofa frame?23. If you are buying a sleeper sofa, is the decking fabric made of durable fabric?24. If you are buying a sleeper sofa, does the mechanism work easily, smoothly, and

quietly?25. If you are buying a sleeper sofa, do all the moving parts clear the fabric?26. When the sleeper sofa is pulled out, does it lock into position?27. If you are buying a sleeper sofa do the legs have protectors or rounded ends so the

floor is not damaged?28. Did you test the mattress of the sleeper sofa for comfort?

* If you answered all these questions with a yes, you can be assured of getting high-quality upholstered furniture.

Utah State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action InstitutionIssued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation withthe U.S. Department of Agriculture, Robert L. Gilliland, Vice President and Director, Cooperative ExtensionService, Utah State University. (EP/05-95/DF)